Electric bathing apparatus.



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` EL'EI'RN;` BATHING. APPARATUS.

(Application led July 12, 1900.) (lo Model.)

` 2 Sheets-Shed n: Nonms Ferias co., Puorouwo., wnsuxncron n c No.668,66l. Patented Feb. 26, I90l.

0. SCHNEIDER.

ELECTRIC BATHING- APPARATUS.

2 Sheets-'Sheet 2.

(Application filed July 12, 1900.)

(llo Model.)

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NrTED STATES PATENT Fries.

ELECTRIC BATI-lIN PPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,661, dated February26, 190.1.

Application med July 12, 1900'.

T all whowt t 77mg concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Electric Bathing Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved electric bathing apparatus whereinthe bather is subjected to the combined action of metallotherapeutic anda dry bathing medium-such, for example, as sea-sand or a combination ofsea-sand and other electric conductor. Heretofore in apparatus of thischaracter it has been customary to use two `fieXible metal sheets, uponone of which the body of the bather is supported,while the other oneforms a covering, and between which an electric current is generated,heated sand being also packed around said metal sheets and bather whilesubjected to the electric action between the sheets; but it has beenfound in this construction of apparatus that the electric current is aptto burn into the fiesh of the bather, particularly the affected ordiseased parts, which are rendered more susceptible to electrical actionby the very reason of such disease, thereby producing painful wounds,

which at the time are unobserved by the bather or attendant.

One ofthe objects of my-invention and improvements is to overcome thisdifficulty, the apparatus to be hereinafter described being soconstructed and arranged that injury to the patient by burning isabsolutely prevented, while the electrical action upon the body of thebather is materiallyimproved in a very simple and inexpensive manner.

A further object of myinvention is to provide simple and effective meanswhereby the heating devices used in connection with the apparatus toheat the sand or other conductor can be manipulated by the bather orattendant to regulate the degree of heat at will, so that the bestresults may be had and the varying Weakness or strength of the bathersduly compensated for.

My invention consists substantially of a bath-tub adapted to receive thebather, lnetallic sheets interposed between perforated non-conductingplates and constituting two separate electrodes, upon oneof which theSerial No. 23,308. \No model.)

bather lies while the other forms a covering, and between which anelectric current is generated.

My invention further consists of a bath-tub adapted to receive thebather, metallic sheets interposed between non-conducting plates andconstituting two separate electrodes, upon one of which the bather lieswhile the other forms a covering, and between which an electric currentis adapted to be generated, and heating devices whereby heat isintroduced into the bath-tub.

My invention further consists of a bath-tub adapted to receive thebather, metallic sheets interposed between non-conducting plates andconstituting two separate electrodes, one of said electrodes beingarranged in the bottom of the bath-tub, an interposed dry packing ofsand or other conductor between said electrode and the bather, and theother of said electrodes beine: arranged above the bather and upon aninterposed dry packing, and a heating device whereby heat is introducedinto the bath-tub.

My invention further consists of the novel features of construction andarrangement of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure l represents a perspective View of an apparatus constructedaccording to my invention, parts being broken away to show portions ofthe interior. Fig.2 represents a transverse section thereof, showing thebather in the bath-tub surrounded with the dry packing or sand and theelectrodes in their relative position with respect to the bather. Fig.3represents a central longitudinal section thereof, the bather and sandbeing removed fromthe bath-tub. Fig. 4 represents a detail perspectiveview of one of the electrodes. Fig. represents a detail sectional viewtaken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Reference characters herein used indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings. Referring to the drawings, ct designates myimproved apparatus, which is herein shown as a bath-tub having acompartment b beneath, wherein the heating devices are arranged, saidheating devices consisting of a plurality of burners c and d, whichproject l'OO from a series of pipes l, 2, and 3, of which the pipes land 2 are arranged one on each side of said compartment b and extendalong in the direction of its length, while the pipe 3 runs paralleltherewith, but in the center of the compartment, as seen best in Fig. 2,the whole series being connected together at one end by a pipe 4 andreceiving gas through a hose e, which connect-s with an extension f ofthe pipe 3 and with any convenient source of supply. (Not shown.) Eachburner is provided with a governing-valve, and the valves on each of theouter pipes l and 2 are controlled by means of' chains h, which areattached at one end to arms secured to and projecting beyond each sideand forming part of the valve-stems. The opposite ends of said chainspass through eyes or other guides located at the upper inner edge of theside walls of the bath-t-ub and within convenient reach of the bather orattendant.

't' designates a series of transversely-arranged tracks or guide-barssuitably supported within the compartment b, said guide-bars beingadapted to support trays or pans c, which latter during the process ofbathing are preferably filled with sand, so that the heat therefrom willserve to intensify the heat generated by the burners c and (Z in thecompartment b.

Z designates a series of flues or ducts which lead up from thecompartment b and communieate with the interior of the bath tub throughthe apertures m, and, as will be 0bserved by reference to Figs. l and 2,these apertures m are each provided with a baffle-plate or extension ot,which inclines upwardly and rearwardly, as shown, so as to prevent anypossibility of the small particles of sand or other conductor frompassing into the [lues or ducts or otherwise clogging up the flues orinterfering with the passage of the heat into the interior of thebath-tub.

In order to control the heat in the bath-tub, I provide gates or doors 0for the flues or ducts l, said gates being pivotally secured to the sidewalls of the bath-tub, adjacent the apertures m, and being adapted tocover or uncover any or all of said apertures, as requirements maydemand, by a manipulation of chains p, secured to each of the ends ofsaid gates, as clearly shown in Fig. l, wherein two of the apertures areshown closed and two open, and in Fig. 3, where all of the apertures areshown open.

4It will be apparent that with the construction and arrangement as abovedescribed heat may be introduced into the bath-tub at any desired pointand excluded altogether from other portions, which is a very desirablefeature in that it permits of an economical expenditure of heat units incases where it is only necessary to treat or bathe small or obscureparts of the body, as will be understood by physicians and othersskilled in the art.

1 provide the interior of the bath-tub with a series of removable trays,each composed of a bottom portion q and side walls 7', and when inposition these trays constitute a lining which will prevent theaccidental burning of the bather through contact with the heatedmetallic walls of the tub. These trays are preferably constructed ofwood and practically cover the entire bottom of the bath-tub, theirbottom portions q abutting each other, as shown; but the forward edge ofeach of the vertical portions r is offset with respect toits bottom, soas to leave a space s between each tray for the heat to enter the tub,and said forward edges are preferably further recessed, as at t, toprovide for the spaces occupied by the apertures m, as clearly shown.

By reference to Figs. l and 3 it will be observed that the ends of thebath-tub are hinged to the body portion thereof, so that either end maybe opened and the bather permitted to sit in an upright position, withhis feet hanging over upon the outside, when it is desirable to treatonly that part of the body which would under these conditions beconfined within the tub, in which event all the apertures m could beclosed except those nearest the bather.

The lower compartment l) is normally kept closed by doors, as at w,which are hinged to each side of the body portion of the bath; butaccess can readily be had to said compartment by raising the doors upontheir hinges, where they may be temporarily held by buttons, as shown atQc.

y designates one of a number of openings in the bottom of the bath-tub,said openings being preferably provided with sliding covers, which whenmoved -to uncover said openings will permit of the sand passing throughand into trays or other receptacles placed there to receive it, wherebya simple means of emptying the bath-tub is provided.

Before proceeding to explain the operation of my invention I willdescribe the construction of the electrodes, with a special reference toFigs. 4 and 5. u designates two perforated non-conducting-plates,(preferably composed of fiber or analogous materiah) between which isdisposed a conductor-plate v, the saine be ing secured in position bymeans of rivetsfu, which are properly insulated therefrom, as clearlyshown in Fig. 5. lt will be apparent that when the electrodes areenergized the cu rrent of electricity will pass through the perforationsto the body of the bather in effective a manner if the metal itselfcontacted direct with the body; but the danger of burning, ashereinbeforc mentioned, is absolutely prevented. The conductors used inthe construction of the electrodes may be composed of any of thewell-known metals, and need not be further described; but I prefer touse a perforated plate, as shown.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood.

The burners having been ignited and the trays properly arranged withinthe bath-tub, a layer of sand is preferably strewn over the bottomsthereof, and one of the electrodes IOO IIO

(which may extend the whole length of the tub) is placed thereon, afterwhich another layer of sand is laid over the electrode. The bather nowenters the bath-tub, and that part of his body which is to undergotreatmentis covered with sand, upon which is placed the secondelect-rode and between which an electric current is generated by meansof galvanism, or a battery may be used for the purpose. lt will beunderstood that after the sand is placed in position as above set forthit becomes moistened from the perspiration of the body of the bather,(the bather being subjected to the heat action hereinbefore set forth,)and when moistened the sand becomes an electric conductor, and being incontact with the surface ofthe body of the bather subjects the same toan electrical action at allv parts thereof in contact with the sand.

It is of course apparent that the sand may be omitted and the bathersubjected to hotair treatment alone, the construction of the heatingdevices and the means of regulating the heat being such that thetemperature may be raised or lowered to produce the desired effects.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that my inventionprovides in a very simple and inexpensive manner an electric bathingapparatus, which is particularly well adapted for the purposes intended,that by its use the dangers of burning are absolutely prevented, andthat the entire body or any portion thereof may be subjected to elec- 3tric action by application of metallo-therapeutic and arenationsimultaneously effected to the exclusion of all means of externalmoistening.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patentl. A bath-tub, comprisinga main compartment adapted toreceive the bather, and metallicsheetsinterposed between non-conduct- 3,ing plates and constituting separate electrodes between which the batherlies and between which an electric current is generated.

2. A bath-tub, comprising a main compartment adapted to receive thebather, metallic sheets interposed between non-conducting plates andconstituting two separate electrodes, over one of which the bather lieswhile the other forms a covering, and between which an electric currentis adapted to be generated, and heating devices whereby heat isintroduced to the bath-tub.

A bath-tub, comprising a main compartment adapted to receive the bather,metallic sheets interposed between udn-conducting plates andconstituting two separate electrodes, over one of which the bather lieswhile the other of said electrodes forms a covering, a dry packinginterposed between said electrodes and the bather, and a heating devicewhereby heat is introduced into the bathtub and the sand heated.

4. A bath-tub, comprising a main compartment adapted to receive thebather, two electrodes arranged in said tub and over one of which thebather lies while the other forms a covering, heat-ing devicescommunicating with the interior of the main compartment, and means forcontrolling the supply of heat.

5. A bath-tub, for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather, two electrodes arranged in said tub andover one of which the bather lies while the other forms a cover, a drypacking interposed between said electrodes and the bather, heatingdevices communicating with the interior ot' the main compartment, andmeans for controlling the supply of heat.

(i. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather, a compartment beneath said maincompartment, heating devices arranged in said lower compartment and fromwhence flues or ducts lead to the interior of said main compartment,means for opening and closing said fines or ducts to control the passageof the heat to the tub, two electrodes between which the bather lies and'an interposed packing of sand or other conductor between said electrodeandthe bather.

7. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather, a lower compartment, heating devicesarranged in said lower compartment, and :tlues or ducts leadingtherefrom to the interior of said main compartment'.

8. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather, a separate compartment adapted to receiveheating devices, flues cr ducts leading from said latter compartment tothe interior of said main compartment, and means for controlling thesupply of heat thereto.

9. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather and a separate compartment, heatingdevices arranged in said latter compartment, flues or ducts leadingtherefrom to theinterior of the main compartment., and gates or closuresfor said flues or ducts whereby the supply of heat to the tub iscontrolled.

l0. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather and a separate compartment, heatingdevices arranged in said latter compartment, dues or ducts from saidlatter com partment to the interior of the main compartment, pivotalgates or closures. for said flues,and means for operating the samewhereby entrance of the heat to the main compartment is controlled.

1l. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a body portionadapted to receive the bathel', and heating tlues or ducts leading intothe interior of said bathing-compartment.

12. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a body portionhaving a bathing- IOO ITO

compartment therein adapted to receive the bather, and heating tlues orducts leading into the interior of said bathing-compartment, said liliesor ducts being provided with baflieplates, for the purpose set forth.

13. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a body portionhaving a bathingcompartment therein adapted to receive the bather,heating fines or ducts leading to the interior of saidbathing-compartment, and means for closing or opening said fines orducts whereby the heat is controlled.

14. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a body portionhaving a bathingcompartment adapted to receive the bather, heating fluesor ducts leading into said bathing-compartment, and gates adapted toclose said dues or ducts whereby the entrance of heat to saidbathing-compartment is controlled.

15. A bath-tub, for the purposes described, comprising a maincompartment adapted to receive the bather, a compartment beneath saidmain compartment, heating devices arranged in said lower compartment,closures for said lower compartment, fines or ducts leading from saidlower compartment into the main compartment and provided withbaffleplates, and gat-es adjacent said iiues or ducts for opening andclosing the same, whereby the heat is admitted or excluded from the maincompartment or any portion thereof.

16. A bath-tub for the purposes described, adapted to receive the batherand a dry packing and comprising a main compartment, a compartmentbeneath said main compartment, heating devices arranged in said lowercompartment, fines or d ucts leading from said lower compartment intothe main compartment and provided with bathe-plates whereby the drypacking is prevented from entering said flues or ducts, pivotal gatesadjacent said flues or ducts for opening and closing the same wherebythe heat. is admitted or excluded from the main compartment or anyportion thereof, and means for moving said gates.

17. Abath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentadapted to receive the bather and having movable ends, a compartmentbelow said main compartment, heating devices arranged in said lowercompartment, said lower compartment having a plurality of sliding pansor trays supported therein, lines or ducts leading from said lowercompartment into the main compartment, means for controlling saidheating devices, and means for closing or opening said lues or ductswhereby the heat is excluded or admitted to the main compartment ordefinite portions thereof.

18. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a maincompartment, a lower space or compartment, with clcsu res therefor,heating devices arranged within said lower compartment, ducts or fluesleading therefrom to the main compartment, and means for independentlyopening or closing any or all of said flues or ducts.

19. A bath-tub for the purpose described, comprising a main compartmenthaving movable ends, a compartment below said main com partment,heatingdevices arranged therein, fines or ducts leading from said lowercompartment to the interior of the main compartment, and a series ofremovable trays adapted to it into said main compartment to shield thebather from accidental burning by contact with the heated walls.

20. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a maincompartment7 a compartment beneath said main compartment, heatingdevices arranged therein, flues or ducts leading from said lowercompartment to the interior of the main compartment, openings in thebottom of the main compartment for emptying the same, and a series ofopen trays adapt-ed to tit into said main compartment and having theirvertical side portions provided with recesses, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

21. A bath-tub for the purposes described, comprising a main compartmentor tub adapted to receive the bather, a separate compartment, heatingdevices arranged in said separate compartment to the interior of themain compartment, and a series of removable trays adapted to tit intosaid main compartment whereby the bather is shielded against accidentalburning by contact with the heated walls.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of thesubscribing witnesses.

OSCAR SCHNEIDER.

Witnesses:

J. R. LITTELL, M. C. MATTEs.

IOO

